ProtonVPN for Windows

Overview: free VPN with many capabilities

ProtonVPN provides a no-cost virtual private network that aims to protect your online activity without charging for basic use. The complimentary tier keeps your traffic encrypted and preserves privacy, while optional paid plans unlock additional performance and advanced routing options.

Other free VPNs worth trying

• Windscribe — offers a limited monthly allowance (10 GB on the free plan) but useful privacy tools.
• Atlas VPN — no bandwidth cap on the free tier and generally better suited for peer-to-peer transfers.
• ProtonVPN (free) — unlimited data on the free plan, with a focus on security rather than some advanced extras.

Privacy, company background, and legal protections

ProtonVPN is developed by Proton Technologies AG, the same organization behind ProtonMail. The company is based in Switzerland, which enforces strong privacy protections and sits outside intelligence-sharing alliances such as the Five Eyes and Fourteen Eyes. ProtonMail began in 2014, and ProtonVPN was released in 2017 with an emphasis on privacy-friendly, user-focused services.

Core security and encryption details

• AES-256 level encryption protects your connection.
• Support for common tunneling protocols such as IKEv2/IPsec and both OpenVPN TCP and UDP.
• A built-in kill switch prevents your real IP from leaking if the VPN disconnects.
• DNS and IPv6 leak protections are configurable in the advanced settings.
• Split tunneling is available so you can choose which apps or addresses use the VPN and which use your normal connection.

What the free plan does not include

• The Secure Core multi-hop routing (routing traffic through privacy-friendly countries) is reserved for paid tiers.
• Tor-over-VPN functionality is available only on higher subscription levels.
• Streaming and unrestricted torrenting are limited in the free tier; paid plans enable access to international streaming libraries and full P2P support.
• ProtonVPN is not the fastest option on the market, so competitors may provide better speeds for streaming and heavy downloads.

Streaming and torrenting access (paid tiers)

• Hulu
• Disney+
• BBC iPlayer
• Amazon Prime Video
• Netflix

Supported devices and installation

• Windows (11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7)
• macOS
• Linux
• iOS
• Chromebook
• Android TV
• Android
  The free account typically allows a single device connection; paid packages raise the number of simultaneous devices you can use.

Verification, transparency, and updates

ProtonVPN has undergone independent security audits (for example by SEC Consult) and maintains publicly accessible source code, allowing third parties to inspect the app. The team releases regular updates to improve performance, patch vulnerabilities, and add features, reflecting an ongoing commitment to privacy and stability.

Final notes

ProtonVPN’s free offering is a solid choice if your priority is privacy and strong encryption without bandwidth caps. If you need multi-hop routing, Tor integration, faster speeds for streaming, or unrestricted P2P use, consider upgrading to a paid plan or evaluating alternative providers that target those requirements.